New Zealand Introduced Animals > Carolina Wood Duck

Carolina Wood Duck

Aix sponsa

INTRODUCED

DISTRIBUTION: Canada, most of the United States and southern regions of North America. There are regular reports of wild birds in New Zealand.

HABITAT: Thrives in forested wetlands from Canada to California.

BREEDING: Nests are built in cavities and holes in trees, well off the ground and 10-15 dull white eggs are laid.

FOOD: A wide variety of natural foods are consumed, including aquatic plants, insects, seeds (e.g. acorns and grains) and sometimes small fish.

VOICE: The male voice is capable of quite a range, from a loud, distressed “whoo-eek” to the finch-like “jeee”. The female is heard as “creek, creek”.

GENERAL: A very colourful waterfowl belonging to the group of perching ducks. They have rather long sharp claws. They are similar to the mandarin duck in many ways with bright colours, a wooded habitat, cultural significance and natural breeding patterns. They are readily kept in captivity but there is little evidence that they will interbreed when kept this way.


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